Christ, the Mystery of God

TEXT:  Col. 1:24-2:7

INTRODUCTION:

A.      PAUL PRESENTS US WITH A MYSTERY( vs. 26 ).

B.      OUR OBJECT IS TO DISCOVER AS MUCH AS WE CAN ABOUT IT.

I.      THE WORD "MYSTERY."

A.      GREEK:  musterion, "1. A hidden or secret thing, not obvious to the understanding.

          2.  A hidden purpose or counsel;  secret will" ( Thayer ).

B.      FOUND ALSO IN Eph. 1:9.  Read "in him."

MYSTERY - GOD'S PLAN OR ETERNAL PURPOSE IN CHRIST.

C.      WHAT DID GOD PLAN FOR US IN CHRIST?

          1.       Every blessing( Eph. 1:3;  2 Pet. 1:3;  John 14:2 ).

          2.       Chosen in him from before the foundation of the world.

                   a.       "Chosen," eklektos,  "picked out."  The election has its ground in Jesus.

                   b.       "Before the foundation of the world"( 1 Pet. 1:18-20;  Eph. 3:11 ).

                   c.       Purpose of the selection:  holy - separate, different.

                                                         without blemish - blameless as a sacrifice.

          3.       Having foreordained us unto "adoption as sons."

                   a.       "Foreordaned," pro-oridzo, "denotes to bind, set a boundary."

                   b.       What was foreordained?  "adoption as sons."

          4.       Blessing secured through the blood.

                   a.       Redemption- deliverance from trespasses( Rom. 6:23 ).

                   b.       The forgiveness of sin - Remember no more( Heb. 8:12 ).

II.     WHICH HATH BEEN HID FOR AGES & GENERATIONS.

A.      IN THE PAST, GOD'S PURPOSE WAS A MYSTERY.

B.      IN OTHER GENERATIONS IT WAS NOT MADE KNOWN( Eph. 3:5 ).

          1.       Only partly revealed in prophecy( Heb. 1:1-2;  1 Pet. 1:10-12 ).

          2.       These prophecies were for our benefit primarily( 1 Pet. 12 ).

                   To whom it was revealed.

III.    BUT NOW HATH BEEN MANIFESTED TO HIS SAINTS

        ( 1 Pet. 1:12 ).

A.      THESE THINGS( the mystery )ANNOUNCED( explained ).

B.      THROUGH THEM THAT PREACHED THE GOSPEL.

          1.       Who were these( Eph. 3:5 ).

          2.       Where did they come by their info?  The Spirit.

          3.       The result( 1 Cor. 2:12-13, 16;  Eph. 3:3-4 ).

IV.   RELATE TO TEXT:

A.      PAUL'S MINISTRY.

          1.       Involves suffering( vs. 24 ).

          2.       Appointed by God( vs. 25 ).

          3.       Makes known God's will to the Gentiles( vs. 27 ).

B.      THE OBJECT:  PRESENT EVERY MAN PERFECT( vs. 28-29 ).

C.      GOD'S INSTRUMENT( Phil. 2:12-13;  4:13 ).

D.      EXHORTATION( 2:6-7 ).

          1.       Walk worthily( vs. 6 ).

          2.       Rooted and builded up in him( vs. 7a ).

          3.       Thankful( vs. 7b ).

CONCLUSION:

A.      ARE YOU IN CHRIST?

B.      ARE YOU ROOTED AND BUILDED UP IN HIM?